(Archived) King Named Praxair Government Relations Director - Finningan to Retire

DANBURY, Conn., May 2, 2005 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) has named Valerie King director of government relations, succeeding Tom Finnigan, who has elected to retire after nearly 29 years of service. King had been sales and marketing director for Praxair Cryomag Services.

"During his long tenure with the company, Tom Finnigan helped shape the government relations function at Praxair, and earned the high respect of his peers and industry representatives in Washington," said Jim Breedlove, vice president, secretary and general counsel of Praxair, Inc. "I know his colleagues will join me in wishing him a long and happy retirement. Valerie’s outstanding interpersonal skills, knowledge of Praxair’s businesses and people, and extensive marketing background will help ensure Praxair’s continued strong presence in the government relations area."

In her new assignment, King will set the strategy for monitoring legislative and regulatory developments at the federal and state level that could provide business opportunities for Praxair or otherwise impact Praxair’s businesses. King will also have responsibility for crafting action plans and identifying trade associations and other constituency groups with which Praxair can join with to influence legislation and regulations. In addition, King will be the chairperson of the Praxair Legislative and Regulatory Advisory Committee.

Since joining Praxair in 1988, King has held a series of increasingly responsible sales and marketing positions. In 2001, she was named director of marketing for Praxair Healthcare Services and was named sales and marketing director for Praxair Cryomag Services in 2004. King holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2004 sales of $6.6 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.